Haslingden High School and Sixth Form's annual charity fair raised £5,451 for multiple causes, with students running 86 stalls in the packed sports hall. The event, organized by Religious Studies teacher Miss Southee, featured everything from virtual reality simulators to traditional carnival games, with some stalls selling out by 10.30am.
Student-Led Fundraising Activities
Year 9 pupils Imogen Ridgway and Rosemary Hodgetts ran a game of pin the tail on the donkey to raise money for Diabetes UK, inspired by the support the charity provides to Imogen’s grandmother. Other students sold handmade plant hangers to benefit a local leisure and wellbeing centre, while some styled hair with tinsel to fundraise for a nearby hospice.
Year 10 student Alfie Huntingdon collaborated with his father to build a human fruit machine game, raising vital funds for a local dementia support group. Elliot Nixon created an imaginative 'clobber the robber' game using a drainpipe and socks, a variation of 'splat the rat' where players try to hit a toy sliding down a tube. Elliot said: “We have had quite a few people win.”
Community Spirit and Teacher Support
Law teacher Elaine Edyvean, who organized the charity day for 23 years, passed the baton to Miss Southee this year. Miss Southee commented: “Ms Edyvean has established Charity Day as a key event at Haslingden - a highlight of the year and one that shows what Haslingden High is all about - thinking of others and building a strong community. Today we raised £5,451, which will be sent to many different good causes and charities. It has been amazing to see also the students giving up their time and effort. It is also exciting to see how many items have been handmade and there has been real effort put into organising the stalls.”
The fair also included a football game, card challenges, spin the wheel, custom jewellery stalls, mocktails, cakes, and a World Cup game where History teacher Mr Cook was a winner. The event showcased the school's commitment to charity and community building.
